African-American Muslim Power Couple Breaks Barriers in Diversity with Lifestyle TV Show

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Using the success of the book and their numerous media appearances as a template for their new TV Show, where they were often told by other hosts “they needed their own show,” the Triplett’s have created a half hour format that is informative and entertaining to a diverse group of demographics as reported by Dawah International, LLC.

“I probably watch more television than I should but when I look at the various shows, there is no one that represents me, truly. Not one personality on daytime talk nor one character on primetime situation comedy or drama."

Atlanta, GA (PRWEB)September 17, 2015

The evolution of television over the last 20 years from a black and white screen that broadcasted all White casted shows has come into the new millennium with four major networks that pride themselves on diversity in their programming as well as several cable and on demand outlets that boasts diverse casts and shows. Well, not so fast. The recent outcry in the film industry due to the lack of Black nominees for Academy Awards mirrors what is going on in the television industry.

Rufus and Jenny Triplett, owners of Dawah International, LLC, a multimedia company, have been in the entertainment industry over 25 years and attached in holy matrimony just as long. They manages an online and print community thru Prisonworld Magazine and co-host their own weekly radio show, the Prisonworld Radio Hour, which airs in podcast syndication to internet radio, iTunes and tunein. Their magazine has a circulation of 350,000 and is an Amazon Best Seller and their radio show draws a global audience of over 1.2 million monthly listeners including distribution within the prison system. Their business experience and contacts ranges from the music industry, radio broadcasting, film and television. They are very familiar with all of the red tape that plagues each module of media and the prejudices and discriminations that afflicts the media industry. To be an African-American fighting for a top position, funding for a film or a major role is a hard fight. That fight and struggle intensifies when you are Black and Muslim.

Lifestyles with Rufus and Jenny Triplett, now airing Saturdays at 11:30am on local Atlanta cable television channel AIBTV, Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasting, with a coverage audience of 1.3 million viewers, listed on Comcast Channel 295 and Uverse Channel 6 as well as a global stream, is the first of its kind with talk and lifestyle from a Muslim perspective. It debuted the first episode of Season One on September 12 and the reviews came rolling in “good show” “you two are awesome” “love the way you incorporated travel, food & fashion” “enjoyed the Q & A segment” “can’t wait for the next show.”

Jenny Triplett, co-executive producer of Lifestyles with Rufus and Jenny Triplett says, “I probably watch more television than I should but when I look at the various shows, there is no one that represents me, truly. Not one personality on daytime talk nor one character on primetime situation comedy or drama. Yes, I am an African-American woman, but I am so much more than that. We watched Law & Order for 20 years. Why did no one ever have a Muslim friend? Why when the doctor or lawyer or photographer was killed, during the investigation none of their associates, employees or family members were Muslim? The only Muslims you saw was when there was some type or terrorism storyline or the whole episode had to be about Muslims. That is not a true representation of society. I have Muslim and non-Muslim friends and employees and so do a lot of other people. Television and films have some more strides to make in order to represent present day America correctly.”

The Tripletts’, met in the late 80's when Rufus was singing, writing and touring with the platinum R&B group, Ready for the World. Jenny was an intern at a radio station and headed the marketing outreach team for the group. Their co-authored book, Surviving Marriage in the 21st Century, stayed on the Amazon Best Seller’s List when it was first released in February 2013. And the Triplett’s stayed busy touring across the country doing book signings and marriage workshops just from the buzz that was created by the book. They were honored in Ebony Magazine (February 2012 Issue) as "Couple of the Year." They always keep it 100 percent real which normally comes with a wealth of humor as well. The couple has survived military service, a head on collision, incarceration, raised three young men, run their own multimedia company and are celebrating 26 years of successful marriage in October. They have been featured in a plethora of TV, radio & print media as marriage and parenting tipsters, which include REDBOOK, Ladies Home Journal, The Better Show, Family Court with Judge Penny, Dr. Phil and Huff Post Live where they are producers and viewer favorites . They have successfully merged their marriage and religion and made it a lifestyle brand and allowed the world an intimate view into their lives on the TLC Guide to Love Special where they were spotlighted celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary.

Using the success of the book and their numerous media appearances as a template for their new TV Show, where they were often told by other hosts “they needed their own show,” the Triplett’s have created a half hour format that is informative and entertaining to a diverse group of demographics. Jenny has appeared on The Mike & Juliet Morning Show giving some words of wisdom to The Real Housewives of Atlanta and she is also a prison and relationship pundit contributing to Loop21, Reuters and has provided commentary for CNN, Brides.com, Black Enterprise Magazine, MSN.com and the Los Angeles Times. Rufus has appeared on Huff Post Live giving advice to men looking to communicate better in their marriages. This wisdom appears on the show in a segment called Outside/Inside View.

“It’s sad that the major networks and with all of the cable channels that Muslims are not better represented. We get plenty of airtime such as things like the uprisings in Africa or ISIS which has nothing to do with our lifestyle. NCIS has yet to do a show where it just shows Muslims in the military who are servicing this country, as I did when I was in the Marine Corps, and not ones that they are chasing and trying to stop from destroying it. Why does the media have such tunnel vision regarding Muslims? My mom is a teacher in a public school and my dad is a retired firefighter. We are everyday ordinary people that are just like the characters on television. Our own president is being vilified for the mere thought of him being a Muslim. Maybe Muslims should be exempted from taxes since they are not being properly represented in America.” says Rufus, co-executive producer of Lifestyles with Rufus and Jenny Triplett.

Lifestyles with Rufus and Jenny Triplett covers travel, fitness, food, fashion, marriage, parenting and entrepreneur tips, social media and anything else that falls under the lifestyle umbrella, all from a Muslim perspective. Out of all their many trials and tribulations the Triplett's are acknowledged for their faith, perseverance and commitment. Their seemingly plain and simple approach to life has resonated not only through their marriage tips but in several aspects of life to Muslim and non-Muslims alike. Here’s how one of their supporters sees it – “You two are edgy for a variety of reasons; husband and wife team who have been married for a long time, work as partners, funny and serious, committed to each other and Allah, social media experts who take on the tough subjects whether they are popular or not and prison ministry. I think in a world where anything goes, edgy is really the opposite of that. It is YOU. Commitment and truth are edgy now.” – Stephanie Cornett, Beautiful Forces International.

For more information about the Triplett's and their TV Show, Lifestyles with Rufus and Jenny Triplett, log onto http://www.rufusandjenny.tv or you can find them on Twitter @rufusandjenny and their new love handle @OurMarriageTips. They can also be reached at 678-389- 2646.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Rufus and Jenny Triplett are available for interviews and for a press review copy of the TV Show contact info(at)rufusandjennytriplett(dot)com